Fundraiser Set For Rockaway Baby

By Howard Schwach

Baby Teagon shortly after her birth. Children’s Hospital at Stanford in California.

Although Teagon’s parents, Mike and Colleen, are Rockaway residents, the birth had to take place in California because it was discovered in vitro that she had a heart defect and only one doctor in the nation specialized in that kind of delicate operation. And therein lies the problem. Mike is a New York City cop assigned to the World Trade Center command.

Colleen taught for awhile, but has not been able to recently, because of the baby she was carrying. Teagon’s medical care has been through the roof, Mike says. “Not only has California never heard of GHI, but the travel, housing and the other medical bills and all has really created a problem for us.”

“The insurance takes us only so far,” he adds. Teagon will go under the knife in California on June 20. Meanwhile, the family’s Rockaway friends and family want to do something to lessen the financial burden on the young family.

They are hosting a fundraiser for the family and little Teagon at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Beach 90 Street on April 21, st 7 p.m. The event will include raffles and activities for kids. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or those interested can go to the family’s Facebook page. “It’s nice that the community can turn out to help a resident in need,” Mike Doria concluded. “Rockaway is always like that.”